Bihar, Sep.02,2025: The Voter Rights March Bihar began against the backdrop of the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which alleged to have removed as many as 65 lakh voters, igniting outrage across marginalised communities. Rahul Gandhi spearheaded the 16-day march, positioning it as a moral struggle—to save democracy and hold institutions accountable.
Coverage of the March
- Duration & Distance: 16 days, 1,300 km through 25 districts and 110 assembly constituencies.
- Geography: Spanning Sasaram to Patna, touching regions where Congress had minor footholds in 2020.
- Participants: Joined by INDIA bloc allies—RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, VIP’s Mukesh Sahani, Left leaders, and national figures like Priyanka Gandhi, MK Stalin, Hemant Soren, among others.
Electoral Integrity & Voter Rights
At its heart, this was Voter Rights March Bihar, anchored in the emotional trigger of “vote chori” (vote theft). Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and Election Commission of orchestrating a mass disenfranchisement through SIR.
The slogan evolved: from “vote chori” to a “hydrogen bomb” promised reveal—meant to heighten the narrative and spotlight institutional collusion.
The messaging blended local concerns—like makhana farmers, gender issues, and GST frustrations—with the central theme of voter disenfranchisement to appeal across caste and class divisions.
Alliance Coordination & Symbolic Messaging
This event highlighted opposition unity: INDIA bloc leaders marched together, projecting cohesion at a time when caste and factionalism often dominate Bihar politics.
The finale in Patna—marching from Gandhi Maidan to Ambedkar’s statue—evoked symmetry with democratic icons, reinforcing the moral weight of the campaign.
This fresh “rights-over-caste” messaging offered Congress a way back into relevance, signaling a strategic shift toward mass issues beyond caste elites.
Opposition Unity vs BJP Pushback
Opposition Momentum
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren praised the March as reclaiming democratic integrity and challenged PM Modi to seek a renewed mandate.
BJP Counter-attack
BJP dismissed the March as theatrical. Ravi Shankar Prasad lampooned Rahul’s “hydrogen bomb” comment as confusion, accusing him of undermining voter dignity.
Other BJP voices labelled the effort a political drama, with Samrat Choudhary mocking Rahul’s cultural mismatch and casting the March as electioneering theatrics.
Logistics, Challenges & Local Visibility
The Voter Rights March Bihar vividly reenergized local cadres. Congress secured rural ground presence after years of dormancy, especially in districts it had previously lost touch with.
Disruptions
Mass gatherings led to traffic gridlocks in Patna, particularly near Gandhi Maidan, disrupting daily life and drawing criticism for poor planning.
Messaging through Symbolism
Rahul’s public gestures—walking through fields, interacting with farmers, wearing local turbans—were crafted to portray humility and a leader of the people.
Supreme Court & SIR Roll Revision Context
The SIR’s legitimacy is under legal scrutiny:
- Supreme Court directive: The EC must release names removed in the drafts and reasons for exclusion.
- Limitations on Aadhaar: SC has ruled Aadhaar cannot convert into proof of citizenship for voter registration.
- The broader legal battle and popular outcry form the constitutional backdrop for Voter Rights March Bihar, elevating it beyond politics into a democratic cause.
Can It Reshape Congress’ Fate in Bihar?
Revival or Relapse?
Congress has been marginal in Bihar—less than 10% of the vote share in recent elections. But this March offered a chance to rebuild at the grassroots, with local cadres regaining confidence and visibility.
Organizational Struggle
Even while the March revived workers’ enthusiasm, Congress’s organizational structure in Bihar remains fragile, lacking a fully formed state committee even as elections near.
Alliance Dynamics
Experts note the necessity of an effective seat-sharing strategy and boosting local leadership from backward and minority communities to capitalize on the march’s momentum.
A Turning Point for Democracy?
Voter Rights March Bihar transcended a conventional campaign—it was a moral call, a protest against insider disenfranchisement, and a show of solidarity across the opposition. Whether or not it reshapes the political map in Bihar, it undeniably reignited democratic discourse and grassroots energy.
For Congress, it was an opportunity to transition from being a junior partner to a narrative-builder. For Bihar’s electorate, it forced engagement beyond caste parity to civic rights.
The legacy of this march: not just a specter of voter suppression, but a reminder—once more—that democracy demands vigilance, unity, and mobilization from its people.
